Jeff Davis bans saggy pants

JENNINGS — The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury unanimously passed an ordinance Wednesday making it illegal for any person to
appear in a public place wearing pants below the waist and exposing the skin or undergarments.

Police Juror Steve Eastman initially asked the panel to consider banning saggy pants at the parish courthouse in January in
response to courthouse employees’ complaints about having to see people’s underwear and body parts.

Police Juror Bryon Buller took the suggestion a step further and asked the panel to consider making it illegal for anyone
to show their undergarments in public to limit indecent and lewd behavior.

“The guards that check people going into the courthouse complained about people coming into the courthouse dressed like that,”
Eastman said.

“I was always told when you go to the court you dress appropriately; you don’t show up with holes in your pants or your pants
down,” he said. “You should be respectful of the courtroom.”

Those violating the law face a $50 fine for the first offense and a $100 fine for each subsequent violation.

Many municipalities, including Merryville, Kinder, Elton, Welsh and Opelousas, have passed similar measures.